Method for sending message that indicates position and message transmission device and message transmission server

• US 6,970,069 B1
• Filed: 09/11/2003
• Issued: 11/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited (Trimble Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited (Trimble Inc.)
• Inventors: Murphy, Michael D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pope, Daryl C
• Application Number:
  US10/662,016
• Time in Patent Office: 810 Days
• Field of Search: 340/995, 340/991, 340/988, 340/992, 340/994, 340/10.4, 340/10.1, 701/207, 455/456, 375/132
• US Class Current: 340/10.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information

Abstract

A method and system for sending messages that indicate position. In one embodiment, the message transmission device includes a message transmission unit that is coupled to a position determination system. A server is adapted to receive messages from the message transmission device. In operation, a first message is generated at the message transmission device. The position of the message transmission device is determined and is included in the message. The message is then sent to the server. The server then generates a second message that complies with any instruction indicated in the first message that relates to position. An instruction that relates to position can indicate routing, format, performance of a task, etc. By indicating return routing in the instruction, a user can obtain location in any of a number of desired formats without the need to store extensive databases in the message transmission device. In a second embodiment of the present invention, a message transmission device is used that does not include PDS processing capabilities. PDS data is received and is transmitted to the server, along with an indication of the time that the PDS data is received. The server then determines the position of the message transmission device and sends a second message that indicates the position of the message transmission device.

Claims

1. A method for sending a message that indicates position comprising:

a) receiving a first message, said first message including a determination of position and an instruction that relates to position;

b) generating a second message that complies with said instruction and that indicates said determination of position; and

c) transmitting said second message.

2. A method for sending a message that indicates position according to claim 1 wherein, when said instruction indicates routing, said second message is routed according to said instruction.

3. A method for sending a message that indicates position according to claim 1 wherein, when said instruction indicates return routing, said second message is transmitted back to the sender of said first message.

4. A method for sending a message that indicates position according to claim 1 wherein, when said instruction indicates transmission to a service provider, said second message is sent to said service provider, said message indicating said instruction and indicating said determined position.

5. A method for sending a message that indicates position according to claim 1 wherein, when said instruction is a query, said second message indicates a response to said query.

6. A method for sending a message that indicates position according to claim 1 wherein, when said instruction indicates that a task is to be performed that relates to said determined position, said second message operates to instruct the performance of said task.

7. A method for sending a message that indicates position according to claim 1 wherein, when said instruction indicates that a task is to be performed by an automated device, said second message operates to instruct said automated device to perform said task when said determined position meets predetermined criteria.

8. A method for sending a message that indicates position according to claim 7 wherein, when said instruction indicates that a gate is to be opened, said second message instructs operating circuitry coupled to said gate to open said gate when said determined position is near said gate.

9. A method for sending a message that indicates position according to claim 7 wherein, when said instruction indicates that an alarm system is to be turned off, said second message instructs operating circuitry coupled to said alarm system to turn off said alarm system when said determined position is near said alarm system.

10. A method for sending a message that indicates position according to claim 1 wherein said message is formatted in a standard mail transmission protocol format having a body and a header, said instruction indicated in said body and said determination of position indicated in said header.

11. A method for sending a message that indicates position according to claim 10 wherein, when said instruction indicates the insertion of said determined position in a particular format into the body of said first message, the determined position is converted into the designated format and is inserted into the body of said message.

12. A method for sending a message that indicates position comprising;

a) receiving a first message that includes an instruction that relates to position and PDS data;

b) determining the position indicated by said PDS data;

c) generating a second message that complies with said instruction and that indicates said determined position; and

d) transmitting said second message.

13. A method for sending a message that indicates position according to claim 12 wherein, when said instruction indicates routing, said second message is routed according to said instruction.

14. A method for sending a message that indicates position according to claim 12 wherein, when said instruction indicates return routing, said second message is transmitted back to the sender of said first message.

15. A method for sending a message that indicates position according to claim 12 wherein, when said instruction indicates transmission to a service provider, said second message is sent to said service provider, said message indicating said instruction and indicating said determined position.

16. A method for sending a message that indicates position according to claim 12 wherein, when said instruction is a query, said second message indicates a response to said query.

17. A method for sending a message that indicates position according to claim 12 wherein, when said instruction indicates that a task is to be performed that relates to said determined position, said second message operates to instruct the performance of said task.

18. A method for sending a message that indicates position according to claim 12 wherein said PDS data indicates time, and wherein said second message indicates said time.

19. A method for sending a message that indicates position according to claim 12 wherein said PDS data includes a date, and wherein said second message indicates said date.

20. A method for sending a message that indicates position from a message transmission device that is adapted to transmit a message that includes a body and a header, said message transmission device including a PDS receiver adapted to receive PDS signals, said method comprising:

a) generating a message at said message transmission device that includes a body and at least one header;

b) receiving PDS signals containing PDS data at said PDS receiver;

c) generating a position header that includes said PDS data; and

d) inserting said position header into said message.

21. A method for sending a message that indicates position from a message transmission device according to claim 20 wherein said message includes an instruction that relates to position.

22. In a computer system having a processor coupled to a bus, a computer readable medium coupled to said bus and having stored therein a computer program that when executed by said processor causes said computer system to implement a method for sending a message that indicates position, said method comprising the steps of:

a) generating a message at said message transmission device that includes a body and at least one header;

b) receiving PDS signals containing PDS data at said PDS receiver;

c) generating a position header that includes said PDS data; and

d) inserting said position header into said message.

23. A computer readable medium according to claim 22 wherein said message includes an instruction that relates to position.

24. A computer implemented method of sending a message, said computer implemented method comprising the steps of:

a) generating a message at said message transmission device that includes a body and at least one header;

b) receiving PDS signals containing PDS data at said PDS receiver;

c) generating a position header that includes said PDS data; and

d) inserting said position header into said message.

25. A computer implemented method for sending a message that indicates position according to claim 24 wherein said message includes an instruction that relates to position.

26. A method for sending a message that indicates position from a message transmission device that is adapted to transmit a message that includes a body and a header, said message transmission device including a PDS receiver adapted to receive PDS signals, said method comprising:

a) generating a message that includes a body and at least one header;

b) receiving PDS signals containing PDS data;

c) determining position using said PDS data;

d) generating a position header that includes said determined position; and

e) inserting said position header into said message.

27. A method for sending a message that indicates position from a message transmission device according to claim 26 wherein said message includes an instruction that relates to position.

28. In a computer system having a processor coupled to a bus, a computer readable medium coupled to said bus and having stored therein a computer program that when executed by said processor causes said computer system to implement a method for sending a message that indicates position, said method comprising the steps of:

a) generating a message that includes a body and at least one header;

b) receiving PDS signals containing PDS data;

c) determining position using said PDS data;

d) generating a position header that includes said determined position; and

e) inserting said position header into said message.

29. A computer readable medium according to claim 28 wherein said message includes an instruction that relates to position.

30. A computer implemented method of sending a message, said computer implemented method comprising the steps of:

a) generating a message that includes a body and at least one header;

b) receiving PDS signals containing PDS data;

c) determining position using said PDS data;

d) generating a position header that includes said determined position; and

e) inserting said position header into said message.

31. A computer implemented method for sending a message that indicates position according to claim 30 wherein said message includes an instruction that relates to position.

32. A computer implemented method for indicating position, said computer implemented method comprising the steps of:

a) storing a cookie on a computing device that is adapted to be coupled to the internet;

b) receiving PDS signals containing PDS data;

c) determining position using said PDS data; and

d) modifying said cookie such that said cookie indicates said determined position.